Selecting the Appropriate RDS CALs 2019 for Your Needs

Licences for the Windows Server operating system permit the system's operation solely on the licence holder's physical server, but do not authorize user or device connections.

To connect to and utilize specific services on the server, separate licences for users or devices are essential.

A User-CAL allows an individual to connect to the server from any number of devices, as it is associated with the user rather than the device. Conversely, a Device-CAL permits any number of users to access the server via a specific device, eliminating the need for individual User-CALs for each user.

Which is optimal for my company?

This decision largely hinges on whether your company has a greater number of employees or devices and the nature of your operational environment, such as the need for remote connectivity or a single-site setup.

For instance:

• If your company has more devices than employees, opt for User-CAL. Similarly, if your employees frequently switch devices, User-CAL would be advantageous.
• If your company scenario involves fewer devices than employees, Device-CAL is preferable, especially if multiple employees share the same device across different shifts.

RDS CALs User Licence

The RDS CALs user licence, which does not enforce specific licensing, allocates a licence to each user, allowing connection to a Remote Desktop Session Host from any device. Licences are distributed by the licensing server from either a designated or an overused RDS CAL pool. Ensuring that all users possess a valid licence and avoiding the use of excess CALs is crucial to comply with the licensing terms of Remote Desktop Services.

For many businesses, choosing the RDS CALs user licence is more economical, especially for employees who access the server from multiple devices throughout the week. For example, an employee might use various devices such as a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone. A single RDS CALs user licence would suffice for this employee, whereas a per-device licensing model would necessitate multiple RDS CALs device licences.

RDS CALs Device Licence

In the device-specific licensing model, a temporary licence is granted upon a device's initial connection to the Remote Desktop Session Host. On subsequent connections, provided the licensing server is active and RDS CALs are in stock, a permanent RDS device CAL is issued.

The RDS CALs Device Licence proves ideal for settings with numerous employees using few computers. Typical scenarios include a kiosk managed by part-time staff in a shopping centre, a shared PC used by a maintenance crew, or a continuously operating business with alternating shifts sharing the same computers.